Fisher-gill Camping Barn

My favourite place to stay in the Lake District - simple but great location, reachable by bus and has everything you need for a fun weekend!

The location of the bunkhouse is good with a lot of hikes and walks available nearby and its well located for the Keswick - Ambleside bus route as well.

Unfortunately our experience at the bunkhouse was not as good as we had hoped for a number of reasons that I will go into detail now: 1) The bunkhouse charges £25 per person per night, for which all you really get is a single bed bunk and use of the limited kitchen facilities. The shower needs pound coins to be activated and basic amenities like towels are missing. The host asked us to bring our own sleeping bags, but the bedding was actually provided. Sleeping bags are bulky and heavy and as I imagine a lot of the guests at this property will be hikers, this creates an unnecessary addition to their hiking packs in terms of space and weight. 2) Finding the property is difficult, especially if arriving in the dark. The google maps location is incorrect, and while this isn't the host's fault, there are no clear signs indicating where the property is and this isn't mentioned anywhere on the property's page or in the communication of the host, which just leads to unnecessary faff during the check in process. 3) Perhaps the biggest drawback about the place is the host herself. When having conversatoins with both myself and my friend, she very quickly started complaining about tourists coming to the Lake District and how this is something that she dislikes. She mentioned her irritation at having to deal with "outsiders" rattled off lots of anti-immigration talking points in her conversations which made both me and my friend feel very unwelcome. Her attitude was quite hostile and she was unwulling to make even the smallest concessions to make our stay more pleasant. On our check out day, we had packed and left the bunkhouse by the alloted time and asked her if we could use her kitchen for a bit of meal prep before heading out for our hike. This would take perhaps, at most, an extra half an hour. She refused citing no other reason other than she wanted us off the property as soon as possible.

damp and cold, no heating or hot water at all

damp and cold, no heating or hot water at all

An excellent stay helped by the snow on the hills. Host was very friendly and got the fires going each afternoon which was welcome to return to. You will not be disappointed if you check what the accommodation is- note it is a barn, fires cannot heat it so warm clothing is needed. Very comfy beds and organised with curtains for privacy.

We were very lucky that Jean (who runs the camping barn) was nearby on-site throughout our stay, and she lit the woodburner for us every afternoon, taking the chill off for our return from walks during the freezing weather we have had during Storm Bert. (Sometimes Jean has to stay at her family's other farm elsewhere, and when that happens you have to fend for yourselves more). The beds were very comfortable, there were quilts and hot water bottles to supplement our sleeping bags, and the kitchen was adequately equipped for us to do basic catering for ourselves throughout our stay. The shower takes either £1 or 5x20ps and gives loads of time. There was also a wall-mounted fan-heater which worked on £1 coins but we didn't use that. There's little to no phone reception. The Stagecoach bus 555 runs past very regularly, so very easy access by public transport.

Great for the price in such a wonderful location

It was all good

The room was clean and tidy and the kitchen was very handy to use

Well everything

Beautiful location, by Helvellyn, great fire in the evening

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